USA > California > Alameda County > History of Alameda County, California. Volume II > Part 4
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Mr. Whitmore was united in marriage to Miss Bertha Nusbaumer, a daughter of Louis Nusbaumer, who was a pioneer of this state. Mr. Nusbaumer came to California by way of the southern route which led through Death Valley. With a party of eight men he started west from Salt Lake in the fall of 1848, with two large freight wagons heavily laden with provisions. This trip was fraught with severe hardships and only Mr. Nusbaumer and one companion arrived at San Luis Obispo in January, 1849, each carrying a satchel. The others had died from exposure and sickness, being buried along the way, while the eight yoke of oxen, wagons and provisions had gone. Mr. Nusbaumer located in San Francisco in 1849, and in 1851 became a member of the historical Viligance committee. He entered heartily into the upbuilding of the city and later became a member of the California Pioneer Society.
Mr. and Mrs. Whitmore have three children : Carl, who is general manager for the Western Electric Company in New York city; Walter, who is engaged in the
3V2
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HISTORY OF ALAMEDA COUNTY
radio business in Los Angeles; and Welles, Jr., who is in the automobile business in Alameda, and has the sales agency for the Oakland and Pontiac automobiles. There are also eight grandchildren.
Mr. Whitmore has always given his political support to the republican party ; has long been a member of the Masonic order, in which he has received the degrees of both the York and Scottish Rites, and is also a Noble of the Mystic Shrine. No member of the Alameda county bar has received or merited in greater degree the confidence of the people, for he is a splendid example of American manhood and citizenship, and throughout the community has many warm friends.
JAMES GRAHAM MANUFACTURING COMPANY
Among California's most widely known manufactured products are the Wedge- wood stoves and ranges, which are generally regarded as the best in the country, a reputation which they have just merited through forty-five years of use. They are made by the James Graham Manufacturing Company, of Newark, which has become one of Alameda county's most noted industrial concerns. The business was founded by James Graham, who was a native of Ontario, Canada, where he was reared and educated. Later he located in the eastern states, where he learned the trade of an iron moulder. In 1877 he went to Alvarado, Alameda county, and worked for the George H. Tay Company, iron founders. Later he came to New- ark at the request of Senator James G. Fair, who at that time was the owner of a railroad, the shops of which were at Newark. Mr. Graham came here to make cast- ings for the railroad, and was so employed until the road was sold to the Southern Pacific interests and the shops were moved to Sacramento. In the meantime Mr. Graham had invented what is now known as the Wedgewood stove and finding himself out of a job he began in a small way, with limited capital, to make these stoves. They gained recognition as the best cookstove on the market and soon there arose a steady demand for them. Beginning alone in 1882, in four years Mr. Graham was employing thirteen men, and the growth of the business may be inferred from the statement that now four hundred and fifty men are employed, the James Graham Manufacturing Company being the largest stove manufacturers in the west. The factory at Newark is complete in every way, and a branch is main- tained at Los Angeles, with a warehouse and showroom in San Francisco. From time to time certain improvements have been introduced in the stove, which is made in various patterns and in different colors, but always the uppermost thought has been to maintain the stove's efficiency from the standpoints of "Quality, Fuel Economy and Service." The New Super de Luxe Wedgewood range is the ne plus ultra of its class, for it is not only a thing of beauty and a real ornament to any home, but it cooks and bakes better than any other gas range ever made. With it cooking experience is unnecessary, for the control of the oven heat is auto- matic, and cakes come out regular in shape, light and delicately browned, while an additional feature is the Rutz lighter, which is always dependable and a great time saver. In connection with the gas range is a kitchen heater, which has a large and heavy duplex firebox and a drop feed door for use in burning wood.
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.It has a closed top, which gives more cooking space and saves the waste of heat, while the double top makes it absolutely fumeless. It is made with a rust-proof gun-metal finish, which never changes, and thus, with all these advantages, the Graham company offers America's finest gas range at no greater cost than is charged for inferior ones.
James Graham remained at the head of his business until his death, in 1902, since which time the business has been managed by his sons, G. E. Graham and C. R. Graham, who are progressive and enterprising business men, and are fully maintaining the prestige so worthily won by their father.
REV. JOSEPH GALLI
No minister of the Gospel in Oakland is more highly esteemed than is Rev. Joseph Galli, pastor of St. Joseph's Roman Catholic church, on Seventh street. To his congregation he has rendered faithful and able service for over twenty-five years, and no man enjoys greater popularity than he among the Portuguese resi- dents of this city. Father Galli, who is a priest of the Salesian Fathers, whose full name is Italo Joseph Galli, was born in Varese, province of Lombardy, Italy, on the 18th day of April, 1877. After completing his preliminary education in the grammar schools of his native town, he was sent to Turin, in the province of Pied- mont, where he entered the oratory of the Ven. Don Bosco, the head of the Salesian congregation. He completed his studies in the gymnasium there and later studied in the missions of Fogglizzo and Valsalice, near Turin. At the latter place, in 1893, he took the preparatory course in theology and in the following year was sent to the first Salesian expedition to Portugal. Later he became a teacher in the famous college of San Caetano, in Braga, Portugal, and there learned the Portu- guese language. In 1898 he was recalled to Italy, where he served eighteen months in the army, and in 1902, in Lisbon, he was ordained to the priesthood. The same year he came to the United States, arriving at Oakland, California, September 7th, and was appointed pastor of St. Joseph's church, in which capacity he is still offi- ciating. His wholehearted and unselfish service here has been productive of splen- did results, the church having been strengthened in all of its departments, and under his administration it has been a power for good in this community. During 1909-10 Father Galli organized three societies, all of which have enjoyed a very successful history, namely, the Young Men's Institute, the Young Ladies Institute and the Catholic Ladies Society. For the benefit of a large congregation of Portu- guese living in East Oakland he organized a new parish at East Ninth street and Twenty-third avenue called Our Lady Help of Christians. Father Galli is a good sermonizer and a fluent and effective speaker, while his loyal and faithful pastoral work has resulted in many accessions to the church, his labors here having been of a character and extent that have gained for him the respect and esteem of all who know him.
In his labors here Father Galli has for over twenty years been assisted by Rev. Henry J. Ferrlira, who also has been a faithful worker among the Catholics of the community. He is an accomplished linguist and the two fathers, between them,
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speak six languages, Portuguese, Italian, French, Spanish, Latin and English. Father Ferrlira was born March 30, 1881, in Salvador da Lama, Portugal, and was left an orphan at an early age, his elementary education being received in an or- phanage at San Caetano. Later he attended the First Salesian novitiate in Lisbon, and afterwards became a teacher in the boys' college. In 1906, at Turin, Italy, he was ordained to the priesthood and arrived in Oakland, January 16, 1907, since which time he has been connected with the work at St. Joseph's church. Rev. Thomas Deehan, born in Ireland is to take charge of the young people of the parish.
ALEXANDER W. HALK
Alexander W. Halk has recently accepted a position as superintendent of the shop of The Scott Company, plumbing and heating, at 113 Tenth street in Oak- land but still retains his house at San Leandro. He now lives at Hotel Touraine, in Oakland. He has had a career of varied experiences including seven years of mili- tary service in Europe and many parts of this country, but is now applying himself closely to business pursuits and has won a high place in the esteem of the people of the community in which he lives. Mr. Halk was born at Mt. Carmel, North- umberland county, Pennsylvania, on the 14th of August, 1896, and is a son of Michael and Lucy Halk. His parents were born in Austria-Hungary (now Po- land), whence they came to the United States in young manhood and womanhood and were married in Pennsylvania. The father was postmaster and steamship agent at Atlas, Pennsylvania, and was a man of prominence and influence in that locality. To him and his wife were born ten children, of whom five daughters and four sons grew to maturity, Alexander W. being the second oldest son and the second in order of birth of those now living. He attended the public schools until thirteen years of age, when he went to New Jersey and served an apprenticeship at the plumbing trade. Then for a number of years he worked for various plumbing concerns in Bayonne, New Jersey, New York city, Detroit and Chicago, after which he returned home for about two months.
Mr. Halk enlisted from Pennsylvania in Company I, of the Thirty-fourth United States Infantry Regiment, and for seven months was in training at Fort Slocum, New York. He was then sent to El Paso, Texas, and served along the Mexican border from Juarez to Chichua. Later he was sent to Waco, Texas, and from there to Camp. Merritt, New Jersey. He was ordered overseas, landing at Brest, France, and fought through the Meuse-Argonne offensive and in the Puvenelle sector, on the Moselle river. He then entered an officer's training school and was about to receive a commission as lieutenant when the Armistice was signed, at which time he was company clerk. After the closing of the officers' school, he returned to the Thirty-fourth Regiment and was assigned to the headquarters company, and one month later was promoted to first sergeant. He served in France under H. A. Montgomery, who is now engaged in the blue print business in Oakland. On his return to the United States, Mr. Halk went to Camp Merritt, New Jersey, thence to Fort Riley, Kansas, and served through the trouble at the disciplinary barracks at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. From there he went to Pittsburgh, Kansas, where
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he served through the coal strike, and was later sent to Denver, Colorado, where he served during the street car strike. He performed the duties of first sergeant for the entire Thirty-fourth Regiment and received special mention for the able and efficient manner in which he discharged his duties, being in the line of promotion. From Denver, Mr. Halk was ordered back to Camp Funston, Kansas, and thence to Camp Meade, Maryland, where the regiment was split up and he was assigned to the headquarters company, which was sent to Madison Barracks, New York. From there he returned to Camp Meade, thence went to Fort Eustice, Virginia, and on to Camp Alfred Vaile, New Jersey, where he attended the radio electricians school. He was ordered back to Fort Eustice, where he received a three months' furlough and at once went to Detroit, Michigan, securing work in the planning de- partment of the Cadillac Motor Company.
On the expiration of his furlough Mr. Halk returned to the army, but soon afterward bought his release and was honorably discharged in 1924. He then re- turned to his home in Pennsylvania, where he remained for several months before coming to California. Here he spent some time in looking up old army comrades in San Francisco and Oakland, and then decided to locate in San Leandro and engage in the plumbing business. He had pursued courses of study in mechanics with the International Correspondence School of Scranton, Pennsylvania, and a correspond- ence course in the Chicago Technical Institute, following these during his later years in the army, and is now taking a course in bookkeeping in the University of Cali- fornia. In San Leandro he went to work for Ambrose Brothers, with whom he re- mained until 1926, when he engaged in the plumbing business on his own account, employing at times as many as fifteen men, and handling a number of important contracts, including the Old Mission apartments in San Leandro and fifty-eight houses built by Ostrom Brothers in San Leandro in 1926-7. Mr. Halk bought resi- dence property at 351 Garcia avenue, and there had his office and shop. Recently he accepted the position of shop superintendent with the plumbing and heating house of the Scott Company and is living in Oakland. He is a member of the Woodmen of the World and San Leandro Post, No. 117, American Legion. His sterling integrity of character and strong personal traits have commended him to the favor- able opinion of those who have come in contact with him, while in business circles he is regarded as a man of sound and reliable judgment.
DANIEL A. O'BRIEN
Situated at 538 Eighth street, is the oldest plumbing establishment in the city of Oakland, owned by Daniel A. O'Brien, who has for many years commanded a large and representative patronage and is numbered among the city's leading busi- ness men. Born in San Francisco, California, on the 12th of March, 1869, he is a son of John and Mary (Connors) O'Brien. His father came to California, by way of the isthmus route, in 1850, and settled in San Francisco, where for many years he was employed as an engineer on the docks, from which line of work he retired about five years prior to his death. His wife, whom he married in New York city, also is deceased.
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Daniel O'Brien attended the Lincoln school in San Francisco and the Lincoln school and St. Joseph's Academy in Oakland, after which he worked in a drug store. Later he learned the plumbing trade, going to work in the shop of Dalzell & Moeller in 1888. In 1891 he engaged in business on his own account and so con- tinues his service here covering a period of thirty-seven years, during which time he has done the plumbing on a number of public buildings and some of the most promi- nent business blocks in the city, besides numberless residences. He employs six men, all of whom are expert in their line, and he enjoys a well earned reputation for the high quality of his work, in which he takes a justifiable pride.
Mr. O'Brien was united in marriage to Miss Mary Imhoff, of Murphysboro, Jackson county, Illinois, and they are the parents of two children, Roy John, who is engaged in the moving picture business, and Gertrude, who is married and has two children. Mr. O'Brien has always supported the republican party and has shown a keen interest in public affairs, though he has never been induced to accept public office. He is a member of the old Volunteer fire department, and later of the paid department, his service covering a period of sixteen years. He is now a member of the Firemen's Relief Association, and also belongs to Piedmont Parlor, No. 125, N. S. G. W. He has been loyal to his community, true to all the obliga- tions of citizenship, has cooperated in all movements for the advancement of the public welfare, and is regarded as one of Oakland's solid and substantial business men.
HOMER O. BANTA
Homer O. Banta, who owns an automobile service station at 845 Foothill boulevard, San Leandro, has made a very favorable impression on the people of his community, and the success which has come to him has been well deserved, for he has earnestly striven to give the highest quality of service and a square deal to everyone who patronizes him.
He was born in Collamer, Whitley county, Indiana, on the 29th of September, 1871, and is a son of Henry and Emily F. (Henderson) Banta. The family came to California in 1885, locating in Fresno, where the father took up contracting and building, having followed that occupation in Indiana, and his death occurred in Fresno at the age of eighty-two years. The mother died at the age of sixty-eight years.
Homer O. Banta secured his education in the public schools and after the removal of the family to Fresno he worked for his father. In 1898 he went to Alaska, lured by the wonderful stories of great gold deposits, and for awhile he was engaged in prospecting on the Porcupine and Big Salmon rivers. Later he built a steam laundry at Haines in that territory, which he ran successfully for twenty- one years. He then returned to California, and on October 3, 1923, established his present business, for which purpose he bought one acre of land at 845 Foothill boulevard. Here he has a gas filling station, carrying the General Oil Company's gasoline and oils, as well as a full line of the best eastern oils. He gives free crank- case service; keeps a good stock of accessories, and has a well equipped refresh- ment stand, and in the years that he has been here he has built up a large and
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steadily increasing business, his plant representing an investment of about twelve thousand dollars.
On January 28, 1893, in Denver, Colorado, Mr. Banta was united in marriage to Miss Florence Foster, a native of Kentucky, and they have an adopted son, Warren C., who is now ten years of age.
Mr. Banta is a member of the Ancient Free and Accepted Masons, in which he has taken the degrees of the Scottish Rite, belonging to Alaska Consistory, and is also a member of Nile Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., at Seattle, Washington. He belongs to the San Leandro Rotary Club. In his career he has exhibited a high type of citizenship and in his business affairs has shown himself a man of sound judgment, so that he commands to a marked degree the respect and confidence of his fellowmen.
J. JOSEPH KRIEG
Among the leading business men and public-spirited citizens of Oakland stands J. Joseph Krieg, who has built up a large and prosperous clothing business, con- ducting two up-to-date stores, while in matters affecting the welfare of the com- munity he has long been a prominent and efficient factor.
Mr. Krieg was born in Germany on the 27th of July, 1876, and is a son of Engel- bert and Alberta (Steinwachs) Krieg, who brought their family to Alameda, Cali- fornia, in 1889, and here the father was engaged in the laundry business. Both parents are now deceased. Mr. Krieg attended the grade schools in his native land and after coming to Alameda had two years of grammar school work, after which he took a commercial course in Heald's Business College. He was first employed at various occupations and for seven years served as a driver for the Mandler bak- ery, during which time he formed many lasting friendships. He then obtained a position as bookkeeper, which employment he followed for four years in San Fran- cisco, and on the first of April, 1906, he engaged in the cigar business in Alameda with Joseph Halton under the firm name of Krieg and Halton. They also opened a men's furnishing store, which they carried on in connection with the cigar store, and, their business increasing, they found it advisable to admit partners into the enterprise. Later they sold the cigar store and opened a clothing store at Santa Clara and Park streets, Alameda. This proved a successful venture and, taking in another partner, he opened a second store on Fruitvale avenue, incorporating under the name of the J. J. Krieg Company. Subsequently Mr. Krieg sold his interest in the Alameda store and devoted his entire attention to the Fruitvale business. In 1924 he bought back the Alameda store, which he put into the corporation and placed his son in it as manager. Both stores handle large lines of everything worn by men and boys and are considered the leading establishments in their line in their respective communities. The Oakland store has a frontage of one hundred feet on Fourteenth street and Fruitvale avenue, being the largest store in East Oakland.
Mr. Krieg was united in marriage to Miss Agnes Wolf, who was born in Chi- cago, Illinois, but was reared and educated in Alameda. She has been a worthy help- mate to her husband and has given him splendid assistance, being in charge of the office work. They are the parents of two children. Joseph H., who was educated in St. Elizabeth's parochial school, St. Anthony's College at Santa Barbara, and
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Heald's Business College, and who is managing his father's store in Alameda, is a past president of Alameda Parlor No. 47, N. S. G. W. Frances is a senior in the St. Elizabeth high school.
Mr. Krieg's father was very active in Catholic circles and was one of the or- ganizers of St. Elizabeth's parish, which was instituted particularly for the Ger- man-speaking people of Alameda county, and Mr. Krieg has ably and effectively continued the work begun by his father, especially in relation to St. Elizabeth's church. He was chairman of the building committee and was largely instrumental in the raising of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars for the new church and three hundred thousand dollars for the new school, which was built of reinforced concrete. He is a member of Oakland Lodge No. 171, B. P. O. E .; Oakland Council, K. C., fourth degree ; Alameda Lodge, No. 24, Y. M. I .; Alameda Lodge, No. 1076, F. O. E .; Fruitvale Lodge, I. O. R. M .; Fruitvale Camp, No. 431, W. O. W., and the Ancient Order of Foresters. He belongs also to the Alameda Rotary Club, the Oakland and Alameda Chambers of Commerce, the Oakland Mer- chants Exchange and St. Francis Benevolent Society. He has given liberally of his time and means to the advancement of the best interests of his community, giving his earnest support to every measure for the advancement of the public welfare, and no citizen of Oakland is held in a higher esteem than he is.
GEORGE HENRY SMITH
In the sudden death of George H. Smith, who died on the Tuesday before Thanksgiving day, of November, 1927, Oakland lost one of its representative resi- dents, a man whose life exemplified the highest type of citizenship and whose career was marked by industry, sobriety, sound judgment and a broad-minded interest in everything really worth while in life. He had long been an active worker in Free- masonry, in which he had repeatedly been honored with the highest offices, and he commanded to an unusual degree the unqualified confidence and esteem of his fellowmen. He was born in San Francisco, California, on the 19th of December, 1863, and when about six months old was brought by his parents to Oakland, of which city he remained a resident to the time of his death. He received his educa- tional training in the public schools and spent part of his early years on his father's ranch in Lake county, this state. Later he entered the employ of the Oakland Hardware Company and was rapidly advanced, being made manager of the store at the end of three months. After remaining with that concern for a number of years, Mr. Smith, in association with other gentlemen, engaged in the hardware business on Ninth street, in Oakland, meeting with gratifying success. During the last eight years of his life he devoted his time and attention to the office of recorder of Aahmes Temple of the Mystic Shrine and proved a capable and popular officer.
About the time Mr. Smith attained his majority he was made a Mason, in which order he took a deep interest, proving a capable and faithful worker during the remainder of his life. He was a member of Oakland Lodge, No. 188, A. F. & A. M., of which he was a past master; Oakland Chapter, No. 36, R. A. M., of which he was a past high priest; Oakland Council, No. 12, R. & S. M., of which he was
GEORGE H. SMITH
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past illustrious master and recorder at his death; Oakland Commandery, No. 11, K. T., of which he was a past eminent commander; Oakland Consistory, No. 2, A. A. S. R., and Aahmes Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of which he was recorder. He was buried with full Masonic honors and his funeral was the largest ever held in the Scottish Rite cathedral here and the second largest Masonic funeral ever held in Oakland.
In 1886, in Oakland, Mr. Smith was united in marriage to Miss Clara Louise Rockwood, who is a native of Ohio, and who survives him, together with a daugh- ter, Margaret Louise, now the wife of R. C. Horeon, of Oakland, and two sons, George Rockwood and Lloyd Victor, all of whom live in Oakland; there is also a sister, Mrs. Wilbur Walker, and a brother, LeRoy Smith, both of Oakland. Mr. Smith was a man of great force of character and attractive personality and prob- ably no citizen of Oakland had a larger circle of loyal friends than he, while the many beautiful tributes paid to his loyal and able services and his high standing as a man and citizen attested to the abiding place he had in the hearts and affections of those who knew him.
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